#UndergraduateResearch positions could play a key role in keeping students financially stable during the #covid19 pandemic. Here are a few thoughts to consider: a thread. (1/8)
If you have funds (this can be hard!), set some aside specifically for undergraduate researchers so you can continue paying them even if they lose other jobs or campus shuts down. See if your department can offer work study support.(2/8)
Start making lists of projects that can be done from off campus. Some ideas for Biology are: iNaturalist projects, field surveys, literature searchers for reviews, video and sound file analysis, data management, entering lab notebooks digitally, supporting graduate research (3/8)
Contact your students to let them know you have their backs! Indicate your understanding that the pandemic can be financially taxing to them and that you plan to do everything you can to help ease the pain.(4/8)
Be flexible: students may need to take care of sick family members or themselves at times, they may not be able, or feel comfortable, coming to campus all the time and may be hesitant to share this. Consider continuing to pay them their usual hours during this time.(5/8)
Make sure you have clear safety guidelines in place for your lab to make it as safe as possible. Communicate clearly to your students, solicit their feedback (6/8)
Don’t require explanations for missed work. Instead formulate plans for moving forward and working towards manageable goals. Adjust as needed. Trust them (7/8)
Be kind to yourself: you may feel you aren’t doing enough or not managing your team as well as you could. Have the same empathy for yourself as you do your students (8/8)
